Krista returns with answers to your questions...

As promised, here are the first five questions answered. And, because I have a boatload of work to do and am not in the mood to do any of it, I answered a few more of the frequently asked questions. Enjoy!

Who is your favorite Greys character and why?

Hmm. I don’t know. I think I would have to say that George is the person who reminds me most of the people I choose to hang out with in my life. He’s smart and gentle and kind and y’know , a little messed up and passive-aggressive, but he deeply cares about his friends and family. I like him a lot. In terms of writing, my favorite character to write for is Bailey. And that’s because of her rhythms – she speaks in long, almost poetic speeches (we call them Bailey” arias”). She’s also funny and sharp and pointed and direct at the same time. I think she could’ve been a preacher if she hadn’t become a surgeon. Anyway, her arias are really fun to write.

How different is this season to what you had originally planned?

In some ways, with some characters, it’s exactly as we planned. With others it’s vastly different. I can’t talk about too much of it , because a lot of the stuff we had planned that fell away might come back as future story. But to give you an example of how and why things change, I will tell you that when we planned the season we had not planned to bring Izzie back to work nearly as soon as we did. But what happened is this: we were watching the early episodes and what we found was that we desperately missed having Izzie at the hospital, hanging with to the interns. She has such a unique spirit, such a unique energy, and the interns felt (to us) out of balance without her. Tony and Joan and Zoanne wrote SIX DRAFTS of an Izzie arc for episode five this year (“Oh, the Guilt”) -- and none of them were working. And they are terrific writers and so what we realized is that the reason the stories didn’t work, is because we were tired of having Izzie out of the hospital, separate from her friends. So three days before that episode was set to shoot – we had to completely re-break and rewrite it. It’s the one where Izzie goes to the hospital to clean out her locker and ends up seeing the Denny Duquette M and M and then hangs out all day and sees Cristina doing a running whip stitch and knows she wants to come back to work. Can you imagine how much work it was to integrate Izzie into that episode that late in the game? Again, our writers are rock stars. Cause the thing is, when we pulled that story thread, it wasn’t just that episode that unraveled. There was an episode set to start prep three days later, there was an episode in script stage, an episode in outline stage and an episode on the board in the writers’ room. ALL of those episodes were affected by that decision. It was a MOUNTAIN of work – many, many 12, 13, 14 hour days. But it was worth it because it was the right call. I don’ t know if that answers your question – but hopefully it gives you a little more insight into the process which I think is what you’re looking for.

Why was the old Addison elevator scene from Yesterday showed in this episode? I was like WTF!

Wow. You have an incredibly good eye. This question is referencing the montage in act six – in which we stole a shot of Addison from Season 2 (“Yesterday”). The reason is that, again, making this episode into two parts was like guerrilla filmmaking – on the fly, and just kind of insane. And that montage wasn’t scripted until late the last night before the last day of shooting. Greg Yaitanes, the director, and I were talking and we were frustrated because we didn’t feel we had a satisfying ending for part one. And we came up with the montage idea. And I frantically called Rob Corn, our line producer and begged him to make it possible. And then I cut a scene that was supposed to shoot the next day and ran back to my office and scripted the montage and Rob rearranged the schedule and made it happen cause he’s a miracle worker like that. And the one shot we were unable to get in the way we wanted on that last day was Addison. So we stole footage from an old episode (which, by the way, we have done more than once before.) And you totally busted us. Welcome to TV – this is how the magic happens.

Why is this episode called "6 days?”

Because it spans over six days (whereas an average episode of Grey’s spans over one or maybe two days). You have seen 3 of the six so far – and you can track them by the Mer/Der waking up scenes which start each new day.

You mentioned the decision to extend this episode into a two-parter. How exactly do you make that work, as you say, "without compromising the creativity"? Do you add to existing storylines, or actually add in new scenes? Or, did you alter the original 61 minute editing, and incorporate more of already shot scenes?

We took the story back the writer’s room. We break each episode as six acts. So our task was to take six acts and make them twelve. We made twelve columns on the dry erase boards and put act one on act one and put what had been act 6 on act 12. Then we put all the scenes we had already shot on the board – and we talked about what we could add. We knew we needed approximately 20 scenes and 20 pages of new material. We watched the 61 minute version – the whole staff – and then talked about which storylines could use fleshing out. The other thing worth noting is that we had one day to re-break the scenes, and then I had one day (the next day) to write them. We were here till 11pm that night but by the time we went home we had added twenty new scenes. Did I mention how much the writing staff rocks? I have to say, some of the new scenes are some of my favorite scenes in the episode. Like that scene where Callie tries to start down George while he’s waiting for word on his Dad – that was new. The scene at the beginning where George drops the check on the floor and begs Izzie to deposit it was new. So, at the end of several very long days, I think it worked out well. (By the way, I’m only talking about the writing process here – this was a monumental task for everyone – the actors, the editors, the crew, the director and producers and post – everyone. It takes a village to raise an episode. )

I know you guys have in-house medical counsel (in one of your writers, at least) who consult on the show - is that all you use, or do you use any of the pro agencies that exist? (I know of two offhand, one by the CDC and one by... people's whose name I forget, but I'm sure there are more.)

We use every resource imaginable. The CDC has come to talk to us. So have many doctors and nurses and organizations. Plus our wonderful Director of Research, Elizabeth Klaviter, has several prominent surgeons on speed dial. No fewer than 3 medical professionals comb through and correct every script we write.

Okay, that was five…here’s a few more.

Did George know what really happened in the operating room and how bad his dad really is at the end of the episode because he seemed so sad, especially after the whole scene with Callie.

Very astute question. George is a doctor. He knows how bad this thing is with his Dad and even though the urine output is good which means the kidneys are functioning, he knows these things can turn on a dime. When you have a family member in the hospital, there are high highs and low lows and they come tumbling right on top of each other. George knows that even if his dad pulls through post-op, he has months of horrible chemo and radiation ahead of him. And he keeps a brave face for his family, so when he has a moment alone, he lets the fear creep in. That’s how I see it anyway.

When you introduce a story point (ie Izzy's baby), do you then come up with a plan for when you will readdress the point? I know you won't tell us exactly how or when we'll find out new information, but we will find it out. Right? Please?

We plant seeds. We plant seeds and then let them grow. Some grow quickly, like dandelions, Some grow slowly – like – I’m not a gardener but what grows slowly? Trees? Roses? Anyway, everything comes back around. Everything blooms. And the garden is generally more beautiful for the wait. That’s what the gardeners tell me anyway.

Where have Meredith's voice-overs gone? They were a "Grey's" staple -- and made the show compelling and rich -- and I'm missing them!

The voice-over is not gone from the show – just from tonight’s episode and next week’s. Just as we had George do the voiceover once and Cristina do it once, we decided it would be okay to not have it for once. (And then of course, the episode became a 2-parter and so we won’t have it twice.) The reason I didn’t write one is because I always save the VO for last – I write the script first and then write the VO. When I had written this script, I didn’t feel that I had any more to say. It was a creative decision. Also, I know there was no opening VO on Carolina’s episode awhile back – but she did write one – the problem there was the episode was running long, and we ended up cutting the opening scene and then there was nowhere to place the VO. So, as you can see, sometimes decisions are made for sound creative reasons, sometimes for necessary technical reasons. Anyway, fear not, the VO will be back!

Have you guys ever gotten ideas from fan RPGs? I help run one, and we swear sometimes you guys read it.

I’m so sorry, but I don’t know what a fan RPG is so I think I can safely say we don’t get ideas there.

Whatever happened to Doc's burial? Or is this like Pet Sematary, and Doc's not really dead?

Same thing that happened to Dylan the bomb squad guy’s funeral and Denny Duquette’s funeral. Shonda doesn’t like funerals on TV. She doesn’t think that they can ever properly capture the essence of a real funeral. The writers and I tend to agree. So we leave them to your imagination.

Can you clarify the timeline?

Um, sort of but not as completely as you’d like me to. I can tell you that the interns are still interns – which means that less than one year has passed in Grey’s time. I can also tell you that this is TV and if you over-think the timeline and over-study the show, you will probably be frustrated because it probably won’t seem logical that less than a year has passed. But as with all art, sometimes you have to just suspend your disbelief and go for the ride. On Beverly Hills 90210, the entire cast repeated their junior year of high school. Cause sometimes, logic-leaps like that are necessary to keep a show on the creative track you want.

How do you become a writer for a show like Grey's Anatomy? Because I would love to be one. Love. And I have no idea how to do it.

I have gotten several questions in this vein. So I’m going to attempt to answer this in brief – and then I really should go do work.

There are many ways to become a TV writer. You can go to film school. You can do your undergraduate study in screenwriting. I didn’t. I did take two writing classes – one was playwriting with Prof. Jon Lipsky my senior year at Boston University. It was terrific and inspiring and a big part of what made me want to be a writer. The second was a screenwriting 101 class at the New School in NYC right after I graduated college with a prof whose name ai sadly can’t remember. . Both were helpful. But largely, I self-educated. By that I mean, I read a lot of books on how to write for television. And then I watched a lot of television. And then I practiced writing for television. I practiced a LOT. You hear a lot of stories about people moving to LA and never making it as writers and oh the misery and all the years it takes… My theory is that – okay, some of those people aren’t talented – but many of them, most of them, just moved here too soon. They didn’t practice enough before they started sending scripts out and trying to find an agent. Many, many people write ONE script, or maybe two, and then think they’re ready to be seen and read . To me, that’s insane. Because no matter now good you think your first script is, the second one will be better and the third will be better than that. You learn by doing. Write scripts and show them to trusted friends and get notes and TAKE THE NOTES and rewrite and then write more scripts. That’s how you get good. Also, read something good every day – a novel, preferably, something juicy and inspiring. And write every day. Write every day for a good long while. And then, when you’re ready, buy the books that tell you how to get your stuff read in Hollywood. There are a lot of good ones.

Okay. I really do have to go now. Thanks for all your wonderful questions and feedback. We think the world of you, our fans, and appreciate that the feeling seems to be mutual.

All my Best,
Krista

Comments

[Jordan]

wow, first comment...
oh and i just wanted to tell krista that an fan RPG is a fan Role Playing Game, they take the characters from the show and do their own thing with them. I'm not part of a grey's anatomy RPG but i've done them and they're a lot of fun.

[Jennifer]

I love seeing these questions and answers. I hope it is something that is done more often!

Looking forward to next week...

[AJ]

AWESOME! Thanks for taking the time to answer, Krista!

[Tiffany]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the questions, and answer them, even. It means alot to have writers and people on the show who take the time to care about their fans. I think you just answered a few questions of my own just now, too.

And you know, it goes to show how obsessed I am when I had friends yesterday, and before when Grey's would be back on (people I converted because I seriously wouldn't shut up about it)...And honestly, so far this season, I really do think that 'Six Days' is one of my favorite episodes. Love the interactions. And Mer's snoring..heh. Addison and Alex...saw it coming a little, but can't wait to see what happens.

Oh, and by the way-an RPG is a roleplay game, ran by the fans. sort of where someone pretends to be characters from a show..stuff like that. Patiently waiting til Thursday...

[Victoria from Ottawa]

Great episode! Missed Grey's for way too long. Not too long ago, I thought that McDreamy could not get any dreamier, but you have proven me wrong. The whole "sleeping-another-room-because-Meredith-snores-and-waking-up-before-she-does-so-that-her-feelings-aren't-hurt" : FREAKIN' McDREAMIN' GENIUS! Could the man be more perfect? I think not. Thank you for answering the question about how to become a TV writer... It is something I had been wondering about for a while. In fact, I woke up one day and said: "Hey, I want to be like Shonda Rimes" and went on a rampage during which I printed a hundred pages of a Grey's script. Well, that only lasted a day. But who knows, I might take it up again. Ok, you don't really care, so I'll stop writing. Anywho, thanks for the amazing show.

[Maggie]

Thank you so much for doing this! You and the other writers are so incredibly kind and generous to share all of this with us. Thank you!!!

[Lisa B]

Am I actually the first to post, wouldn't that be great! I just have to say i love your work so much, and I was so happy when I saw your name as the writer of last nights episode, I wish you luck with the baby and I want you to know I love greys anatomy so much, it is such an amzing show that is can't miss for me, can't wait until next weeks episode.

[I wish McSteamy would tell]

Everybody the painting I did of him looks like him *sigh* I thought for sure I captured him. He is such a fine actor and I love the show so much.

artbyerika

[Mariah]

You really didnt answer the Izzie baby question...interesting. :)

[Emily...]

Thanks for answering Krista/Kirsta (LOL)

And an RPG is a Role Playing Game...

[Shielady]

Hi Krista,
great episode, & thx for the double-blog...esp the part about practice writing. & you're right about Bailey's lines; she's always to the point; such a spitfire (& yes, I do know that this is a bad run-on sentence...)
Keep it up and try to get some sleep!
(Hey, if you can put together more than seven new episodes, we might get past the whole two-part episode...!)

[Hillary]

Krista-

Thanks for answering our questions! Very interesting.

At some point down the line, if you have time to answer more questions, there's something else I'd like your thoughts on. I was told that good dialogue is the stuff you wish you'd said in a conversation. You know what I mean-- you have a fight with someone, walk away, then think "D'oh. I should have said _________." Do you think that's true?

[Alex]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions Krista!!
This show is the best! Keep up the great work!!!

[Kelly]

*blinks*
Uhm, thanks. I honestly thought I had no chance in h*** of having that question answered (just because I figured time zones would be against me).

I appreciate it - and I promise to let you in on why, someday, too.

-the one asking about medical consult folk

[Adam]

Thank you SO much for answering these questions! I absoluetly loved your episode and this was a great thing...the writers should do it every week! I can't wait to see Part Two! Thank you so much again for producing TV's absolute BEST show!

And you can read my (full) thoughts (and my friend's thoughts too) on your episode and others at http://seriously-critique.blogspot.com

Seriously, you guys are the best!! :)

[Kelly]

Krista, thank you SO MUCH for answering so many questions that have been on most, if not all, of our minds. But one question has been nagging me in the back of my mind for quite some time now: Whatever happened to those oh-so-lovable credits that we're brilliant and lovely? We (and yes, that is a royal we) know it give y'all more time for the show, but it's like getting a haircut (that feeling of not having something that should be there).

[Tricia]

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Really a decent thing to do. You guys and the whole grey's team rocks.

[Jamie]

OMG, You answered my question. Thank you so much. Someone on the mbs told me that you answered my question. Iam so excited. You are so my favorite person right now:) Yes, i do have a good eye, especially for GA. Thanks for explaining why you used the same Addison scene. Please tell KW that Team Addison on the mbs and the Kate Walsh thread just adore her. She is AMAZING! *I have to breathe now*

GA is the BEST:)

[Beth]

I'm just going to say that you are kind of amazing. Well, scratch the kind of. You are amazing. I like your writing advice, too, and even though I wouldn't really be a good TV writer, it's good advice for any kind of writing, I think. So, yeah. Thanks.

(And RPG stands for Role-Playing Game)

[Sam]

Thanks for answering some questions!

I just loved this eppisode, mostly cause I am a huge Mark fan, and I have been a little dissapointed this season that we haven't really seen any of the somewhat softer caring side to Mark that we caught a glimpse of in Season two. This eppisode was just great for him, even though it made me kinda sad to see him so sad, it was just nice to see some new emotion from him. I can't wait to find out what that is all about next week.

Also, this week just further convinced me that TR Knight is definitley not getting the recognition he deserves from all of these award shows. His performance was just amazing this week, he made me cry at least twice.

Finally, I just want to say that this was my favroite eppisode all season. I can't even put it into words, but there was just something about it that I loved in a 'watch it over and over' kind of way. Everything from the dialogue to the music and the whole ending sequence was just amazing.

[Amy]

Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions, it was very insightful! And great job on the episode, your practice practice practice seems to be paying off! Thanks for a great show (please tell the other writers that too!)

[Angela in Calgary]

Now that you've explained why - thank you for not showing the funerals. You're right, capturing the real essence - the PAIN - is hard. Plus, on a show set in a hospital, you'd have to show a lot, eh?

[Madison]

Thanks for answering our questions!! It's great that you guys communicate with the fans, just another things I love about Greys!

[Kayti]

Ooh, I'm excited you answered my question. I probably should have explained what it is... It's a site and we write as the characters we sign up to play.

For example, I play Meredith, so I write from her point of view.

http://s15.invisionfree.com/GreysAnatomy

Ah well anywa, it was worth a shot to ask. We wrote about the plague hitting SGH and then when we saw it happen on the show, we just about died.

Thanks so much for everything!! And good luck with the baby. Hope you're doing well and all that jazz.

[Jen or Seb or Bandaid!!]

This is the first time I have ever responded to a writers blog...I just felt I had to respond to this because I couldn't believe how quickly you came back with the answers to everyone's questions...It makes us the fans feel like you are truly one of us, or we are one of you, (which is a scary concept for you I should imagine!!)

I suppose what I am trying to say is that I was bowled over by your speedy and concise response and I'm sure I speak for all when I say thanks!! It's your determination, creativity, and pure genius that keeps us on the edge of our seats and begging for more.

Can't wait for next Thursday!!